HC Deb 04 February 1897 vol 45 cc1301-2
MR. T. R. BUCHANAN (Aberdeenshire, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India what has been the amount expended from the revenues of India on the Indian troops sent to Suakim?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, Ealing

The expedition of Indian troops to Suakim did not throw any charge upon Indian revenues, but it did not relieve Indian revenues of the ordinary pay and allowances of the troops so sent. The ordinary pay and allowances of the troops dispatched is estimated to be about £40,000 for the period during which they were stationed in Suakim, but we have not received the full accounts. The extraordinary expenditure defrayed from the Treasury chest of the Imperial Government is about £145,000.

Mr. BUCHANAN

asked if the noble Lord's estimate of £5,000 a month had been exceeded?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

I think it is very nearly accurate. I estimated about £5,000 a month, and the troops were there 7½ months.

MR. BUCHANAN

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether he will state the items of charge for which the Supplementary Estimate is asked for the expenses of the Indian troops at Suakim?

MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS

The details have not been received. The proposed Vote is based upon an Estimate of the extra expense incurred by the Indian Government, and is framed by it.